Basic HTML Version
(
&#
, 6381), “to be marvelous, be extraordinary, be beyond one’s power to
do, do wonderful acts.” As can be seen from the suggested meanings, this verb is not easy
to define. As a denominative verb, it is based on the noun for “wonder, marvel,” so it
expresses the idea of doing or making a wondrous thing. Found in both biblical and
modern Hebrew,
occurs some 70 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. The verb is
found for the first time in Gen. 18:14: “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?”
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is used primarily with God as its subject, expressing actions that are beyond the
bounds of human powers or expectations. This idea is well expressed by the psalmist:
“This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Ps. 118:23). Deliverance from
Egypt was the result of God’s wondrous acts: “And I will stretch out my hand, and smite
Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in [it] …” (Exod. 3:20). Praise is constantly
due God for all His wonderful deeds (Ps. 9:1). At the same time, God does not require
anything of His people that is too hard for them (Deut. 30:11). Although something may
appear impossible to man, it still is within God’s power: “If it be marvelous in the eyes of
the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes? saith
the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 8:6).
B. Noun.
(
#
, 6382), “wonder; marvel.” This noun frequently expresses the “wonder,”
the extraordinary aspects, of God’s dealings with His people (Exod. 15:11; Ps. 77:11; Isa.
29:14). The messianic title, “marvel of a counselor” (Isa. 9:6;
KJV
,
RSV
, “wonderful
counselor”), points toward God’s Anointed continuing the marvelous acts of God.
TO MEASURE
A. Verb.
(
$$
, 4058), “to measure, measure off, extend.” Found in both ancient and
modern Hebrew, in modern usage this word has the nuance of “to survey.” The word has
cognates in Akkadian, Phoenician, and Arabic. It occurs 53 times in the text of the
Hebrew Old Testament. The basic meaning of the verb is illustrated in its first occurrence
in the Old Testament: “… they did mete it with an omer …” (Exod. 16:18).
"
is
used not only of “measuring” volume but also of “measuring” distance (Deut. 21:2) and
length (Num. 35:5).
A rather gruesome use is found in 2 Sam. 8:2, where, after defeating the Moabites,
David “measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines
measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive.”
The greatness of the creator God is expressed in the question, “Who hath measured
the waters in the hollow of his hand …?” (Isa. 40:12). Also, God “stood, and measured
[
NASB
, “surveyed”] the earth” (Hab. 3:6).
"
can express the idea of extending, stretching: “And he stretched himself upon
the child three times …” (1 Kings 17:21).
B. Noun.
(
(
, 4060), “measure; measurement; extent; size; stature; section; area.”
Of the 53 times this noun appears, 25 appearances are in Ezekiel. The rest of the word’s
occurrences are scattered throughout every period of biblical Hebrew.